Sunday night traffic in Phnom Penh is crazy! If you’ve ever tried getting around the city at 7:00 in the evening, you probably agree with me that it might be easier to walk. A friend recently told me, however, that the reason for all the traffic is that many Phnom Penh residents go home on Friday to the provinces to be with family for the weekend and then return on Sunday night. Learning the reason for the traffic makes it easier to bear. I understand what it feels like to be away from family because of work. It’s a difficult position to be in, and that’s why I’m delighted to be on my way back to the United States for a short visit.
I’m looking forward to spending some time with my family in Virginia and catching up with what’s been happening in their lives since I’ve been in Cambodia. Just as important, I can’t wait to share with my family, friends, and colleagues back home all the things that I’ve learned about Cambodia’s culture, society, and people.
When Americans think about Cambodia, the first thing that comes to mind is often the Killing Fields, but Cambodia is so much more than that. I’ve met so many bright, young Cambodians who are eager to learn and improve not only their country, but also its relations with the U.S. That’s why I am also meeting with some officials in Washington to boast about the great potential and the many positive things that are happening in Cambodia. The young people – the 70% of the population – will run Cambodia some day and we need to invest from ground zero to ensure Cambodia’s economic and political success. And with the combined support from the U.S. government, civil society, and the private sector, Cambodia’s future could not be any brighter. This is such a beautiful country, and I want to share my experiences from here with as many Americans as I can!
What is your favorite thing about Cambodia? Please let me know, so I can tell my friends and colleagues in America.
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My favorite part of Cambodia is knowing that my dad family was part of the killing field. And knowing his culture and were he is from. My mom came also came from Cambodia. She told me how her life was along time ago.
Dear Ambassador,
As you know the young cambodian who can get the best education is limited in Cambodia. In the same time, Cambodian youth is facing some English language problem.
I would like to request the US to give more scholarship slot to Cambodian student. Comparing to countries neighboring to Cambodia, US government gave more scholarship to Vietnamese or Thai student.
Full bright is too high quality. Is there any others scholarship can give option to the student with limitation of English language ?
Knowledge is power and important for Cambodian youth.
Regards
I love most of everything’s in Cambodia, I was there for 5 weeks, the transportations, from motor scooter to taxi and buses. Siem Reap Angkor Watt (Temples) all the way to Baray and Bok’koh mountain.
So many fruits, foods, too many wonderful things including the average family to wealthy and the poor people…..it’s more interesting if we explored all different area and see people daily lives
Good afternoon Mr. Ambassador !!!
Yes Cambodia are more then the Killing Field. Cambodian people got a real smile to welcome American tourism. We got the World Heritage Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and with the rich cultural and civilization and even more than that.
Cambodia is a country with a not so distant tragic past, however the people seem to be very optimistic about it’s future; And with good reason! The food in this country pulls from the best parts from it’s famous neighbors and they do it well! There seems to be a healthy amount of youth who are into gymnastics and interpretive dance and The Angkor Wat National Park seems to be doing really well as a top flight tourist destination for folks from around the globe. Cambodians should be proud of their potential.
well, I really like to you share my farvorite thing to do in Cambodia:
-When I feel tired and get rid of noise ,I really love to Kap Provice or go to Tong Say( Rabbit) Island.
-But sometime if I want to share joke with people I love to go to Siem Reap provice ( Cuture Villege) to enjoy the khmer Traditional dance.
Hi to you. I am a Physics student at Royal University of Phnom Penh. I am not a Phnom Penh civilian, but I just come here for my study. What I love about being Cambodian is something you will never fine it in Phnom Penh. It is the way people live at countryside. At there, it is peace and people are really kind and close. we live our lives by season. people go to work and children go to play. at night with the full moon, we kids play outside. wind and cool moon light are really wonderful. it is just a peaceful life.
Thank Ambassador for sharing about the bright site of Cambodia
Landscape of rice paddy, palm trees and seaside esp smiling faces of Cambodian people.
Dear Honorable Ambassador to Cambodia,
I wholehearted agree that Cambodia’s bright future lies in the hearts and minds of the younger generations. Their aspiration to live in peace and freedom from oppression will make them thrive for a better future. Given the current demography of Cambodia, we could not be more proud that the country is once again flourishing and its young populace are actively engaged in education and seeking of new opportunities. What is vitally important is the needs to have frameworks of programs and initiatives that would enable them for further growth especially in IT, light industry and agricultural sectors. Sustainable growth will facilitate lasting peace and development where hate and killing will be nothing more than a gruesome past.